State of Texas

Looking for Solutions– Deaths reached the triple digits this week after heavy rain caused flash floods across the Hill Country. President Donald Trump took some time to survey the area while Governor Greg Abbott added 4 items to the special session to explore and address the aftermath.   Remembering those Lost in the Flood – The number of victims of this storm keeps rising as search and rescue tea...

Texas Democrats have a familiar face in the race for U.S. Senate, as Colin Allred kicks off his campaign for the seat currently held by John Cornyn.  But some in Allred's party are skeptical about his chances.  Capitol correspondent Adam Schwager interviews Terry Virts, a former astronaut and fighter pilot who's also in the race.  He describes a different path for Democrats as the party aims to en...

As election season looms larger, there are new developments when it comes to Republican candidates running for statewide office.  But it's not clear which Democrats will take on the biggest statewide races.  Adam Schwager speaks with former congressman Beto O'Rourke, who's been holding town hall events across Texas.  We ask about meetings with other Democrats aiming to run in 2026 and how his plan...

 Comptroller Change – Political maneuvering helps now-former State Senator Kelly Hancock on the verge of becoming the state's acting Comptroller.  Adam Schwager speaks with Hancock, as well as the two high-profile Republicans who are vying for votes in next year's race to lead the office.  Nuclear Waste Decision – A Supreme Court decision revives plans to store nuclear waste in west Texas.  Vinay...

 Immigration raids ramp up, with some targeting workers on the job.  It's bringing backlash in the streets in the form of protests, but also from businesses.  We hear how President Trump is addressing the concerns, plus look at the crackdown from the perspective of a migrant deported after being detained on his way to work.  A Texas law that allowed some students not legally in the country to qual...

Gov. Greg Abbott approves billions of new dollars for Texas school districts.  It’s record funding at a critical time for education, but is it enough?  Dylan McKim examines why some worry the money falls short of the needs. The Governor declares victory in his push for bail reform.  But opponents of his plan are also claiming a win. Adam Schwager looks at why some backers of bail reform say more n...

The plan lawmakers passed to ban THC products is now in the hands of Governor Abbott.  As opponents push for a veto, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is making a high-profile effort to support the ban. We look closer at the stakes in the battle over the ban. Plus, we hear from former House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and former State Rep. Mark Strama for insight on the political impact of the proposed ba...

A bill to ban THC products in Texas leads to tension on the House floor.  While lawmakers crack down on products people buy to get high, Dylan McKim examines the new push to expand access to medical cannabis in the state. A major deal at the State Capitol could bring billions of new dollars to Texas public schools.  The bill boosts pay for teachers and other employees.  Adam Schwager reports on ho...

With deadlines looming, lawmakers are working toward a deal on how to fund Texas public schools.  One senator is pushing through a new plan.  Dylan McKim looks at what's changing from the plan approved by the House, and why the bill is raising concerns as time runs short at the Capitol. A Senator who previously called for ending the lottery is now proposing legislation that could keep the games go...

Governor Abbott puts new pressure on lawmakers as he pushes plans to restrict bail for some people accused of crimes.  The plan calls for amendments to the Texas constitution, which has Republicans looking to win over Democrats.  Adam Schwager reports on the high stakes, as key deadlines move closer at the Capitol. Legislation to create Education Savings Accounts has been signed into law.  The pro...

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Texas Lottery is "on life support right now."  His statement comes as lawmakers are pushing to pull funding from the Lottery Commission amid an investigation into a controversial jackpot win.  Politics reporter Adam Schwager speaks with Lt. Gov. Patrick about his vision for the future of the lottery. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy says he believes measles cas...

Legislation to let parents use public funds for private education heads to the Governor.  Josh Hinkle speaks one-on-one with Sen. Brandon Creighton, who authored Senate Bill 2.  We discuss concerns from both sides of the aisle over the bill, why he's confident this will help Texans who need it most, and how the ESA plan could change in the future. Texas Democrats try a new tactic after losing the...

 A plan to let Texas parents use tax dollars to help pay for private education moves closer to becoming law.  After approval in the Texas House, legislation to create an education savings account program could soon head to Governor Abbott's desk.  Our Capitol Bureau team of Dylan McKim and Adam Schwager look back at the heated debate and to what comes next in the fight over ESA's in Texas.  A Texa...

The Price of Tariffs –It's been a volatile week in the stock market after President Donald Trump announced his plan to impose widespread tariffs on imported good. But how does the current plan affect Texas. Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar gives us an economic forecast. A Budget Bill without the Lottery– After hours of debate and amendments, lawmakers passed the blueprint on how the state spends its m...

A plan that could reshape the future of education in Texas is one step closer to becoming reality.  A House committee approved a legislation to create Education Savings Accounts.  As it moves toward a House vote, a step that killed previous bills, we dig into the debate surrounding one of the Governor's top priorities this session. Texas has a vacant seat in Congress, but Governor Abbott is not ru...

 Legislation to require Texas sheriffs to participate in federal immigration enforcement moves closer to a vote at the Capitol. The legislation has raised concern about the effect on immigrant communities, as well as questions about the cost for local law enforcement.  Josh Hinkle speaks one-on-one with bill author, Sen. Charles Schwertner about how he's answering criticism of the bill.  Questions...

A Texas woman bought a winning lottery ticket worth $83.5 million.  But when she went to claim the ticket, she learned that she may never see the money.  Dylan McKim spoke to the woman, who asked for her identity to be concealed.  He looks at how controversy at the State Capitol could keep the lottery winner from claiming the life-changing jackpot.  Our reports on hospital safety after a deadly cr...

 The legislative push to use public dollars to help parents pay for private schools drew people from all over Texas to a marathon hearing with House lawmakers.  Hundreds of Texans waited into the early morning hours to have their say.  Adam Schwager looks closer at the hearing, and what comes next.  The search for solutions to keep water flowing in Texas has some looking off the coast.  Dylan McKi...

Big changes are looming for some Texans who currently work from home.  The Governor and state lawmakers are asking questions about remote work policies. Dylan McKim looks at why the pressure could push many state workers back to the office. A Texas House committee with the goal Delivery of Government Efficiency held its first meeting at the Capitol.  Adam Schwager examines what power the Texas DOG...

 Texas senators vote to ban services that allow people to buy lottery tickets on an app.  But the debate leading up to the vote raises larger questions about potential criminal activity linked to the lottery.  Adam Schwager looks at the policy change at the lottery, and why supporters of online ticket sales are now looking to the Texas House.  New statewide legislation could mean more medical exam...

Dan Patrick wants big changes to the way the Texas Lottery handles ticket sales. Adam Schwager looks at how the Lt. Gov's visit to the store that sold last weekend's jackpot-winning ticket is bringing an ultimatum – and questions about the future of the lottery. The Texas House has been the place where plans for plans to allow public dollars to go to private schools have died in previous sessions....

Concerns about a huge jackpot lead to tough questions for leaders of the Texas lottery. Senators accuse lottery leaders of enabling money laundering. We speak with Austin American-Statesman chief politics reporter John Moritz to look at what's behind the concerns, and what comes next. Families share powerful stories of loss with lawmakers, driving a policy discussion at the Capitol. Dylan McKim re...

Governor Abbott lays out his list of emergency items, and one led to quick action from Senate lawmakers. Dylan McKim looks at the vote to pass education savings accounts and a push to change the plan to focus more on disadvantaged students. The Governor is asking the federal government to repay Texas for the state's efforts to boost border security. What he's saying now as he prepares to make the...

As the new Trump Administration enacts the mass deportation operations, Texas Governor Greg Abbott calls on state resources to work closely with the Feds. This week we look at some of the costs associated with this. Also, for the first time since we uncovered issues with the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund Attorney General Ken Paxton laid out what he says his agency needs to keep up. The Texas Wa...

President Trump issues executive orders to crack down on people in the country illegally, and those seeking asylum. Texas leaders say they're ready to help. We hear from Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham about efforts underway now to support the new immigration policies and get a report from Border Report correspondent Sandra Sanchez about what's changed for people in communities near the border....